De Gea-Ramos transfer saga is a clash of two massive egos - who will win?

David De Gea and Sergio Ramos are linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United moves

Ed Woodward and Florentino Perez, men who are at the helm of two of the biggest clubs in the world, are going to war. Real Madrid want Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, the heir to Iker Casillas in the Spanish national team. Manchester United won’t budge. They want a reasonable fee for a player who’s running into the last year of his contract or Sergio Ramos.

Ramos’ contract expires in 2017 but he wants a pay rise. Real Madrid don’t want to pay the money, United will oblige. The stage is set for both of these men to try and not emerge as the loser when the transfer window shuts.

Should Manchester United keep or sell De Gea?

It all started with De Gea’s excellent form in 2014/15 attracting Madrid’s attention. Calls for a contract extension started in December, and now it seems out of question. He rejected a £200K-per-week contract making it clear he does not want to stay for money. The only two options for United were either to sell him this season or make him run down the final year of his contract.

A successful European campaign next season backed by De Gea’s assured presence in goal could earn United as much as much as £30m just by qualifying for the Champions League group stage. Add to that, BT Sports’ new £897m for their three-year package rights to show the Champions League is double the previous deal Sky had in place. A deep run into the competition would be well worth keeping De Gea and letting him go for free if Madrid cannot pay the demanded price.

With money from De Gea’s possible sale not a big factor for United, will Ed Woodward and co make the Spanish goalkeeper run down his contract?

However, United would be reluctant to keep an unhappy player for a whole season. De Gea would also not be motivated on the field considering his move to Madrid would be secured anyway. Also, United may want to sign someone like Hugo Lloris who would probably not want to move anywhere else after arriving here and stay here as long as he can, like Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel before him.

Why Ramos wants to leave Madrid

Sergio Ramos’ situation, on the other hand, has exploded all of a sudden. Woodward has unsettled Madrid like no one has in quite some time. Ramos is an absolute fan favourite at the Santiago Bernebeu and Perez selling him would hurt the fans more than the sales of Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria and the sacking of La Decima winning coach Carlo Ancelotti. The player wants €10m a year and Madrid are only offering €7.5m. United won’t mind paying what Ramos asks.

Ramos’ blood probably still runs white. And why shouldn’t it? He’s the most adored player at the most successful club in Europe. However, as has been the case with players who have left before him, Ramos has felt underappreciated and a target of Perez’s media propaganda which puts the players in the bad light.

Perez’s mouthpieces in the Spanish media have already branded Ramos as a money-grabber. And now reports from Spain suggest that Ramos is only interested in a move to Old Trafford.

Florentino Perez is known to be ruthless when it comes to transfers in and out of Real Madrid

Perez normally gets what he wants, even if it takes time. He has made proper use of the stature of the club in the transfer window to make sure the club attracts all the stars and sells worldwide. However, Woodward is not one who will meekly surrender to Perez. Woodward still remembers how Madrid made it so difficult for United to sign Di Maria last summer, which ultimately led to the Red Devils paying well more than what he was worth.

What’s the best way forward for United and Madrid?

De Gea and Ramos are not the only variables in the equation. Players like Bernd Leno and Nicholas Otamendi could affect the deal as well.

United were heavily linked with Otamendi, however, his €50m release clause and Ramos’ contract situation have put the rumours on hold. Leno is Madrid’s supposed plan B should they not be able to iron out a deal with United, who could buy him as a replacement. Madrid were also linked with Otamendi, but his agent says that a deal would be announced before Ramos leaves.

A swap looks like the best way to end this battle, although both men would try and get both the players involved to play for their respective clubs, but the most unlikely. Madrid’s very high valuation of Ramos seems too much even according to United’s standards. United may as well keep De Gea and look for younger alternatives rather than spend €60m on a 29-year old defender.

Madrid, however, will make sure they don’t end this window with an unhappy player and a declining Iker Casillas.